In Which Arm Position Is a Hill-Sachs Lesion Created?

BACKGROUND

It has been believed that a Hill-Sachs lesion (HSL) is created with the arm in abduction and external rotation at the time of dislocation. However, no studies have clarified the arm position in which an HSL is created.

PURPOSE: To determine the arm position in which an HSL is created.

STUDY

DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

The computed tomography images of 100 shoulders of 100 patients (72 males and 28 females; mean age, 30 years old) with recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder were investigated using an image analyzing software. Three-dimensional surface bone models of the scapula and humerus were created separately. The humerus was moved so that the HSL perfectly fit the anterior rim of the glenoid. This arm position was recorded 3-dimensionally.

RESULTS

Considering the scapulohumeral rhythm, the average arm position in which the HSL and the anterior glenoid rim best fit was 74° of abduction, 27° of external rotation, and 3° of horizontal flexion relative to the trunk.

CONCLUSION

The arm position when an HSL and the anterior glenoid rim best fit is 74° of abduction, 27° of external rotation, and 3° of horizontal flexion, which seems to be the arm position when the HSL has been created. This result suggests 2 possibilities: dislocation occurred in this midrange position or HSL was not created at the time of dislocation but later in the mid-range of motion. However, as we have no information on the arm position at the time of dislocation, we cannot conclude which of these possibilities is true in our study.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study gives us a better understanding of the timing of HSL occurrence. Shoulder dislocation may occur at the end range of motion or in the mid-range of motion, but an HSL is created in the mid-range of motion.